Protective compound-enveloped sensor for detecting the position of an encoder element

Abstract

The sensor for detecting the position of a generator element which outputs a position-dependent physical variable, the sensor includes a transducer for converting the physical variable into an electric generator signal, a circuit on a wiring support for receiving the generator signal from the transducer and outputting a measurement signal that corresponds to the generator signal and a protective compound which at least partially surrounds the transducer and the wiring support, thus retaining the transducer on the wiring support.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A sensor for detecting a position of an encoder element, said sensor comprising a transducer having coil wires, a magnetic core having a length extending along an axis of the magnetic core, a circuit on a wiring carrier, and a protective compound comprising a thermosetting plastic material which at least partially envelops the transducer and the wiring carrier and thus holds the transducer on the wiring carrier, wherein the protective compound defines exactly four separating elements, each of the exactly four separating elements in direct contact with and extending outward from the magnetic core in an orthogonal direction relative to the axis of the magnetic core, the exactly four separating elements dividing the magnetic core along the length of the magnetic core into two outer winding regions and one inner winding region, the two outer winding regions each being shorter along the length of the magnetic core than the one inner winding region, and wherein the coil wires are wound around the axis of the magnetic core onto the magnetic core between respective ones of the exactly four separating elements that divide the magnetic core into each of the outer winding regions and between respective ones of the exactly four separating elements that divide the magnetic core into the inner winding region. 
     
     
       2. The sensor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the circuit on the wiring carrier comprises a part which is free of the protective compound. 
     
     
       3. The sensor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transducer is an electrical transformer. 
     
     
       4. The sensor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transducer is a linear inductive position sensor (LIPS). 
     
     
       5. The sensor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the protective compound forms an outer housing of the sensor.